Nonverbal Communication
The study of body language is a relatively new science, and is based on psychological, emotional and social research. Referred to as kinesics, this developing field focuses on the elements and influences of nonverbal communication – a form of communication conveyed through posture and body movement.
Interpersonal communication plays a vital role in our daily lives. We are constantly conveying messages to those around us not only verbally, but also through our body language. The person receiving the message needs to simultaneously process two dimensions of communications: verbal information and body signals.
Recent studies have shown that body language plays a central and dominant role in our daily communications. In fact, it has been proven that 65% of message reception is based on body language, while 35% is based on verbal communication. In light of these findings, it is important that we put an emphasis on nonverbal communication and its impact on our day to day interactions with society.
During the average day in our lives, we convey hundreds and thousands of messages, pertaining to various facets such as family, work, social and other areas. A person has almost full control over his verbal communication, but much less so with his nonverbal communication, as his body continuously transmits messages through gestures, movements and posture.
Effective Communication – Is it an inborn characteristic or can one acquire the skills? Researchers in the field affirm that good communication is somewhat influenced by genetics, but at the same time, it is also a skill that can be learned. Enhanced body language, coupled with good verbal communication, improves one’s self image and boosts his self-confidence as well as his social status.
Proper body language is a fundamental component of communication that helps build trust and understanding within our social systems.
How does body language work?
Body language is expressed through body movements and facial expressions and is influenced by a person’s culture, social environment, genetics, personality, and self-image. Just as one needs to understand the vocabulary in verbal communication, it is just as important to “understand” the signals transmitted through one’s movements and expressions. And just as different cultures speak different dialects, so too various body movements may imply different things depending on each culture’s social codes. A certain facial expression in one cultural group does not necessarily mean the same thing as in a different society. Knowing how to interpret nonverbal cues from those around us can be a valuable asset in our daily lives. On the flip side, incorrect deciphering of body language may hinder our communication.
Let’s distinguish between various types of body movements:
1. A conscious gesture that we initiate and are in control of. Such gestures are usually clear-cut and convey an obvious message such as: waving goodbye.
2. Unintentional movements that are usually transmitted without our being aware of it. These movements or facial expressions, over which we have little control, can serve as indicators for the person’s mood. For example: tapping one’s foot under the table may indicate tenseness.
3. Unconscious movements – these are movements that are completely beyond our control and are more of a reflexive or responsive motion associated with the nervous system such as eye blinking, widening of the pupils, and giving a startled jump. This type of body language can expose a person’s inner emotions and feelings, which we may have otherwise not been aware of. For example, when a person blushes, his reddened cheeks are conveying his embarrassment or uneasiness.